There has been an alert outside at an Ipswich primary school after a parent was allegedly confronted by a knife-wielding man.

Parents at Ravenswood Primary School received the following message following the alleged knife incident Picture: SUPPLIED BY PARENT

Ravenswood Community Primary School is understood to have issued a warning to parents via ParentMail, at around 2.40pm Tuesday afternoon, September 10.

The message said there had been an alleged incident in which a parent was confronted by a man with a knife outside the school.

The man was said to be still at large. There is no description given of his appearance.

The ParentMail message said: "We would therefore urge all parents to take extra caution when collecting their child/children from school this afternoon.

"Those children that would normally walk home alone will be held at the school until parents collect. If this is an issue please contact the school as soon as possible, or arrange for children to be collected by other parents."

A spokesman for Suffolk police said this evening they are still investigating the incident and the "distressed" mother who was confronted was giving a statement to officers.

Initial reports to police did not detail a knife although investigations are continuing.